What weighted 88 key controller are people using?

[alejandrozalaquett]

Roland RD-600. The best action period.

[DevonB]

Another vote for the Yamaha P60. Most realistic piano feel I've found in a controller yet. I used to own a Fatar SL990, but sold it. I'd say try out a P60 or S90 Yamaha first, then play a Keystation 88 Pro then a real piano at the music store if possible. I know many of the problems with the first Keystations have been resolved, so I hear.

Devon

[Squids]

We did the piano, strings and bass sounds for the Keystation Stage Piano. It's a great deal. They need to send me one though! (I don't actually have it myself, even though we did the sounds for it).

But, I do have Motifs (which we also do the sounds for) and the Yamaha feel has always been my favorite. Smooth, precise, durable... In fact, if they haven't announced it yet, there is something new in a lower price range from Yamaha (but, I can't say just in case it hasn't been announced). But, there's also the S08 anyway.

[matt_anthoney]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. Feel is most important to me-- I want something pretty piano-ey so I can get the most out of my practicing. Is the Yam P60 feel similar to their upper-grade controllers?

I guess I need to just get out and play a few of these things, huh?

[DevonB]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. Feel is most important to me-- I want something pretty piano-ey so I can get the most out of my practicing. Is the Yam P60 feel similar to their upper-grade controllers?

I guess I need to just get out and play a few of these things, huh?

Yes, it's the same keybed that's in the S90 and Motif ES8, which is the reason I bought it. I just wanted the keys and to save around a grand or two. You can get it for $749.

Devon

[Mr. Tunes]

What about the semi-weighted M-Audio keystation? Is it good? Any experience?

it's pretty good for the price. i mean look at that price, it's really no sweat. and now i think they have a 88 key version of this.

if i were to do it all over again i would've waited and got a pro-keys 88 or a yummyha. if i had more money i would've got a weighted controller and a non-weighted keystation or radium on a stand above it. but i'm no revisionist i live for the present and not the past

[Walker]

Yeah, Squids, they announced it, already.

The Yamaha Mo6 and Mo8 (61 keys and 88 keys respectively)

They say that the Mo8 has the same keybed as the S90ES.

I personally use a Kurzweil SP76 right now, but might go 88 keys soon.

[jplanet]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. Feel is most important to me-- I want something pretty piano-ey so I can get the most out of my practicing. Is the Yam P60 feel similar to their upper-grade controllers?

I guess I need to just get out and play a few of these things, huh?

I also bought the P60 because it has the same keyboard as high-end Yamahas. Play that with VGP, Grand or Ivory and you will have a perfect piano experience! I didn't care that it didn't sound as good as a P120 because I use samples anyway.

[Gregjazz]

Roland FP3 (or FP5) has a the most realistic piano feel of any keyboard I've played on. Still it's very far from a real piano, but to me this it has the best action (and pretty good sounds, too). The next best is the Roland RD600... I played a bunch of other 88 key keyboards that just feel terrible. I'm not sure if I want to name them, though, because it's just my opinion and there may be people around who really like those keyboards.

[DevonB]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. Feel is most important to me-- I want something pretty piano-ey so I can get the most out of my practicing. Is the Yam P60 feel similar to their upper-grade controllers?

I guess I need to just get out and play a few of these things, huh?

I also bought the P60 because it has the same keyboard as high-end Yamahas. Play that with VGP, Grand or Ivory and you will have a perfect piano experience! I didn't care that it didn't sound as good as a P120 because I use samples anyway.

I actually got pissed off at the samples I had one day, turned up the volume on the P60, shoved a mic in front of it, and got pretty darn good results. For only ~12 sounds in that board, they aren't bad.

Devon

[gorecki]

Using a Yamaha P90 right now. It's quite decent I think, though not as good as my beloved Kawaii MP9500 that I had to sell . That thing felt better than my old upright...

Yamaha P90
http://www.harmony-central.com/Synth/Da ... 90-01.html

Kawaii MP9500
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Feb03/a ... mp9500.asp

[jplanet]

I actually got pissed off at the samples I had one day, turned up the volume on the P60, shoved a mic in front of it, and got pretty darn good results. For only ~12 sounds in that board, they aren't bad.

Devon

Yes, the sounds are actually quite good. It's nice to know that you can take it to a gig and have a good piano sound, and also nice to still get practice time while waiting for my computer to render or burn, etc...

[Semata_Lugra]

Does anyone have experience with the Doepfer PK88? How does its action compare?

[Stairsteps]

I use the controller that Paul McCartney, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder uses. I use a Kurzweil.

[flugel45]

I'm using a Kawai M8000. Wooden keys and a built-in arpeggiator! Got it (with custom stand and bench) about 6 years ago at a garage sale, and is easily the best used-gear purchase I've ever made.

JD